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Barred grunt (Conodon nobilis) — Haemulidae

Barred grunt

Conodon nobilis
Family: Haemulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Barred grunt (Conodon nobilis) is a saltwater fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
31.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1–100 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic; sandy beaches and shallow muddy bottoms of coastal waters.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The barred grunt is a grunt of the family Haemulidae from the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 31 cm and has a silvery body with a few dark, oblique crossbars and yellowish tints. It occurs along sandy shores and over shallow muddy bottoms of coastal waters. As a bottom predator it feeds on small crustaceans, worms and small fishes. Grunts owe their name to the grunting sound they make with the pharyngeal teeth, amplified by the swim bladder. The barred grunt has a few stout gill-cover spines; otherwise it is a local food fish and harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barred grunt?

The Barred grunt has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Dark oblique vertical bars; makes grunting sounds with its pharyngeal teeth.

Where does the Barred grunt live?

The Barred grunt lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic; sandy beaches and shallow muddy bottoms of coastal waters.

How big does the Barred grunt get?

The Barred grunt grows to a maximum of about 31 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Barred grunt dangerous to humans?

No, the Barred grunt is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Barred grunt edible?

Yes, the Barred grunt is commonly eaten.

More photos

Barred grunt (Conodon nobilis) — Haemulidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Luis Agosto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Barred grunt (Conodon nobilis) — Haemulidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Exocoetidae, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Barred grunt (Conodon nobilis) — Haemulidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) smvv4_biology, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Barred grunt (Conodon nobilis) — Haemulidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Cristianna, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Barred grunt verified
Scientific name
Conodon nobilis
Family
Haemulidae
Other names
Barred grunt; Cro-cro grunt; Yellow cro-cro verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
31.2 verified
Average length (cm)
25 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Vertical bars
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1 verified
Max depth (m)
100 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic; sandy beaches and shallow muddy bottoms of coastal waters.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Dark oblique vertical bars; makes grunting sounds with its pharyngeal teeth. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Conodon

More from the family Haemulidae

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